Emily Thompson’s final tragic moments as details emerge of grandfather’s frantic search

Emily Thompson’s tragic final moments have been revealed including a grim clue uncovered by her grandfather in his frantic search for the 18-year-old, allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend.

Emily Thompson had a beautiful dress picked out for her school formal, but just weeks before the 18-year-old was set to graduate, her life was cut short.

Ms Thompson, 18, was allegedly murdered by ex-boyfriend Aaron Daniel Mitchelson Huckel on Saturday after meeting him at a Strathpine park.

Hours later, Ms Thompson’s body was found in bushland at Nambour.

Mitchelson Huckel was arrested at a service station on Currie St and charged with her murder.

The Courier-Mail has been told Ms Thompson’s worried grandfather went into a local business on Saturday night, asking people if they had seen her.

Emily Nicole Thompson was allegedly murdered by her ex-boyfriend Aaron Daniel Mitchelson Huckel. Picture: Supplied

He told someone working at the business the family had found her car in Strathpine, where she was meant to meet Mitchelson Huckel, with the keys inside and contacted police.

“He was quite concerned for her when he came in and he seemed like such a lovely man,” the person from the business said.

Her frantic family called police about 7pm, but it was too late.

Court documents allege the teen was killed where they met at Rob Akers reserve, and her body was then dumped on the Sunshine Coast.

A GoFundMe has been launched for Ms Thompson who was “taken from the family in the worst of circumstances”.

The goal is to raise $10,000 to help her family for “the challenging time ahead”.

“On Saturday the 22nd October 2022 Emily went to Rob Akers Reserve in Strathpine where her life was tragically cut short,” the statement said.

Emily Thompson was only weeks away from graduating. Picture: Supplied

“Emily was a schoolgirl about to complete Year 12 exams and had her whole life ahead of her.

“She had bought a beautiful dress ready to attend her formal in a vintage car driven by her beloved Pa.

“Her friend group were preparing to celebrate the end of school and the start of their adult lives.

Police at the scene in Nambour where Emily Thompson’s body was found. Picture: Lachie Millard

Melissa Hopper, who organised the GoFundMe said “nothing will ever compensate her family for their loss”.

Ms Thompson was set to graduate Year 12 at Pine Rivers State High School on November 18 and had celebrated her 18th birthday just two weeks before her death.

The Courier-Mail understands Mitchelson Huckel and Ms Thompson worked together at IGA French’s Forest on Beeville Rd, Petrie.

Shoppers said Mitchelson Huckel used to chat often with customers and that Ms Thompson seemed like an “awesome” young woman.

Aaron Mitchelson Huckel, 19, has been charged with the murder of his ex-girlfriend Emily Thompson. Picture: Supplied

Ms Thompson started working there in 2019.

Ms Thompson’s friend, Lillyarna Parker said life won’t be the same without her.

“There are no words for how this feels, and no sense to any of it,” Ms Parker said.

“A young, kindred soul with an incredible life that was awaiting them.

“Emily is smart, beloved, selfless and unforgettable.

“There will not be a moment of the rest of our lives that we do not think of our Emily, and feel blessed to have had the time we did.”

A former student who graduated from Bray Park State High School in 2020 alongside Mitchelson Huckel said “from my encounters in class I can say that he was a lovely person to be around”.

“We are extremely shocked,” they said.